Evolved Packet Core Commander
A Subscription based solution for vEPC test automation
The rapid evolution of mobile networking technology is changing MNOs and NEMs requirements for EPC test automation solutions. The new solutions have to be flexible, scalable, quickly and easily deployable in a cloud, and most importantly, affordable.
Linkbit new subscription based tool EPC Commander meets all these requirements. It retains all the capabilities of PacketCraft software while providing additional flexibility to users.
PacketCraft
Functional Testing for Evolved Packet Core (ePC/VePC)
PacketCraft is a software-only functional tester for ePC and VePC networks. It is installed on a customer laptop or desktop, or on a virtual PC in the cloud.
PacketCraft can be used for functional testing of ePC elements such as: MME, SGSN, GGSN, SGW, PGW. End-to-end testing and interworking testing is supported. It can also be used to test/emulate ePC neighboring systems (e.g. CGF, HLR, HSS, STP, DRA, PCRF, OCS, AAA, RNC, eNodeB, …). End-to-end testing with or without L4-7 data is supported.
With PacketCraft, users develop ePC packet flows by connecting graphical icons with software wires to create executable flowcharts.. Linkbit revolutionary Visual Programming Language (VPL) allows creating complex Evolved Packet Core tests in a matter of minutes without writing a single line of code.
PacketCraft software unprecedented flexibility and ease of use allows a user to start testing and validating ePC network functionality from day one.
PacketCraft allows users to develop multi-protocol, multi-technology signaling and media tests of unlimited flexibility. The software allows a user to import data from .pcap files automatically, alter any set of fields on any network protocol layer before the test start and in run time, on-the-fly, add/delete any field, build any stack logic with drag-and-drop operations only, dynamically analyze any combination of fields in the incoming messages and make run time decisions on how to proceed.
Should data processing capabilities not supported by the native API become necessary, any diagram block can make a call to an external JavaScript, Perl, Python functions.
PacketCraft offers an unprecedented functional testing flexibility, programmability, ease of use in one cost-efficient software package. Networking developers, QA engineers, field support engineers, sales support engineers, and cybersecurity professionals can benefit from using Linkbit PacketCraft to test and validate network integrity and equipment functionality.
Customers can install the PacketCraft software on their own hardware platform with a standard Network Interface Card.
Legacy Products
Legion
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ICT
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ATL1307
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AT1000
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Legion
High-Performance 3G Test Platform
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Linkbit Legion is an ultimate functional and performance test platform for SS7 + 2G-3G Mobile Core networks. Legion software enables users to automatically import the .pcap files, edit any packet dynamically at any layer, and create a complete test flow in a matter of minutes by using only GUI tools. Customers can use a powerful and intuitive visual flowchart test builder, Linkbit APIs, JavaScript, Perl, Python, or their combination. An independent, fully featured protocol analyzer runs concurrently with the test flowchart to aid in the test troubleshooting. |
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One of the main test tools for MNOs and NEMs networking software development is a functional protocol tester. The tool has to be highly programmable to fit frequently changing testing needs, yet simple enough for a non-programmer QA and Network engineers to understand and use it.
Another important test instrument frequently used in network testing is a traffic load generator. For a long time a conflict in requirements of functional and load testing resulted in use of different, incompatible tools for each task. This is no longer necessary.
The ideal network testing tool should have a capacity for traffic load generation without sacrificing the flexibility required by functional testing. Linkbit has created such a solution by developing Legion platform.
Linkbit Legion is designed to take full advantage of Linkbit Packet Studio software architecture. This architecture carries full knowledge of great number of VoIP, 3GPP/3GPP2/IETF networking standards and allows for fast and painless creation of test scenarios covering any and all IP based mobile core interfaces and protocols.
By making it possible to execute Legion packet processing engine on multiple CPU cores in parallel, Linkbit created the platform that has no match in performance as well as functional testing.
Linkbit Legion is developed to take a full advantage of scalable, high-performance multi-core systems available from COTS vendors. By developing a highly parallelizable software execution engine, Linkbit were able to leverage its unique functional testing technology into creating the most powerful functional/load networking test tool available on the market.
Benefits of Linkbit Legion deployment:
- Reduction of operational expenses (OPEX) through multi-user, multi-interface platform sharing
- Combination of load generation and functional testing in a single tool
- Permanent automated regression testing with the highest possible coverage and minimization of faults caused by introduction of network-wide software upgrades
- Scalability and flexibility of the test software
- Use of standard Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) hardware servers for functional and load testing results in reduced test tool prices
Flare
Load Testing for Evolved Packet Core (ePC/VePC)
Load and functional testing of ePC elements such as: MME, SGSN, GGSN, SGW, PGW. End-to-end testing and interworking. Emulation of ePC neighboring systems (e.g. eNodeB, CGF, HLR, HSS, STP, DRA, PCRF, OCS, AAA, RNC, …). End-to-end with or without L4-7 data.
Absolute functional flexibility + 1,000,000 MSU/s performance
Need 2 mils? No problem, just tell is.
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Linkbit Flare is designed for load testing of Evolved Packet Core (ePC) networks, and the upcoming VePC deployments. It is based on the technology initially develped for Linkbit functional testers, and as a result is extremely flexible. While retaining all the functional testing flexibility of PacketCraft, Flare adds to the mix a massive load generation capability. Flare's highly scalable software architecture allows for delivery of practically unlimited TPS load numbers for any of the EPC stacks. Flare is available as a stand-alone COTS blade-server or virtualized in the cloud. |
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Why Flare is different?
For far too long conflicting requirements of functional vs load testing forced MNOs to purchase and learn different, incompatible tools. This is no longer necessary, as Linkbit Flare delivers practically unlimited load performance without sacrificing the extreme flexibility provided by Linkbit functional testing technology.
By making it possible to execute Linkbit proprietary packet processing engine on multiple physical or virtual Linux nodes in parallel, Linkbit has created the test platform ideally suitable for performing any mixture of load and functional testing in MNOs core networks.
Flare is programmed with XDL
Linkbit XDL (eXecutable Diagram Language) is a network centric visual Domain Specific Language (DSL) for programming of high-performance packet flows. XDL source code is a directed graph. The edges of the graph indicates control flow, while vertices send/receive network traffic and perform data operations. The language supports automatic parallelization and is highly scalable. Load generation capabilities are only limited by number of available CPU nodes (cores) and a clock frequency of individual nodes.
Intelligent Core Tester
From Analog to Packet Core
Intelligent Core Tester is a comprehensive, cost-effective Mobile Core network test platform based on commercially available hardware. It covers a wide range of physical interfaces: Analog, BRI, PRI, T1, E1, STM1, 1000BT. Broad protocol and interfaces coverage allows Linkbit ICT to be used to test end-to-end integrity and operations of modern Mobile Core networks.
Linkbit ICT has been deployed in MNO networks at multiple locations worldwide. Our customers are using it for mobile and fixed network IN testing, SMSC, MSC, HLR simulation and load testing, mobile 3G CS and PS testing, and 4G/LTE simulation and automated regression testing.
Mobile Core Networks are changing fast
Modern day Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are facing tremendous pressure of keeping the existing mobile services running uninterrupted while constantly upgrading their networks' hardware, patching the software and rolling out new services. In addition, there is an ongoing industry transition to EPC, and vEPC.
All of this requires lots of testing.
The majority of available test tools are not nearly flexible enough to support the complex, ever changing multi-protocol, multi-interface test environment. This presents a great challenge to MNOs and NEMs test teams and force them to spend money and man-hours on assembling and learning a diverse variety of test tools. Still, the biggest problem–future proofing the testbed–remains unsolved, as most of the available tools are geared towards checking known problems in the existing networks.
Better, more flexible tools are needed for Mobile Core network integrity and validation tests.
Linkbit Intelligent Core Tester (ICT) is developed to take full advantage of Linkbit unique software architecture. The architecture allows for fast and painless creation of test scenarios covering any and all mobile protocols and interfaces based on a variety of 3GPP/3GPP2/IETF documents.
A competitive and cost-effective product, Linkbit ICT is based on commercially available hardware. It supports communications network interfaces and protocols from legacy ASLI, BRI, PRI, SS7 to the latest LTE S1, X2, and Diameter interfaces, allowing to test the integrity and operation of the mobile core end-to-end. Support for new protocols and interfaces could be rapidly deployed through a simple software upgrade. Modern, scalable and highly programmable, Linkbit ICT cannot become obsolete, provides long term value and improves the total ROI.
Benefits of Linkbit ICT deployment:
- Reduction of operational expenses (OPEX) through multi-user, multi-interface platform sharing
- Increase of service availability through test automation
- Ongoing automated regression testing with the highest possible coverage and minimization of faults caused by introduction of upgrade packages
- Scalability and flexibility
- Scalable standard hardware resulting in reduced test tool prices using a Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) servers for functional and load testing
- The Linkbit ICT can be used in mobile networks (GSM, CDMA, GPRS, UMTS, HSPA+ and LTE) as well as in fixed and NGN networks for VoIP and multimedia applications
- Uses a simple, visual flowchart builder tool for test case creation, compilation and execution covering all protocol, functional, system, and load tests.
Hardware Modules:
Linkbit ICT consists of a number of modules, connected to a common IP control backplane. The modules are:
- K2CX55CM System Control Module. High-performance hardware platform. Linkbit Dashboard and Simulation Studio application software is running on this module. Hardware supports multiple IP test ports.
- System network switch. Provides a high-bandwidth data exchange backplane, through which System Control Module and Linkbit application software communicates and controls ATL Test Modules. Allows for an easy integration of a different ATL Test Modules.
- ATL Test Modules. Provide for a number and variety of test ports and interfaces. Test ports include (but are not limited to) ASLI, BRI, E1, STM1 ATM, 10/100/1000B-T IP. Additional Interfaces (like GSM/ UMTS Air ) are available.
System Control Module:
INCLUDES 4 - 12 100/1000B-T IP TEST PORTS AND 2 100/1000B-T OAM IP PORTS.
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS: dimensions: 2RU / 437mm x 450mm x 89mm / weight: 16.5 kg.
Power: 700W (1 + 1) Redundant AC-DC high-efficiency power supply w/ PFC
AC Voltage: 100 - 240V, 60-50Hz, 10 - 4 Amp
SYSTEM Specifications:
CPU: Intel Quad Core Xeon E5 3.3 GHz, memory: 2 x 16 GB DDR3 banks, HD: RAID1 2
x 1.5 TB, IP ports: 12 + 2 100/1000B-T (1G multimode fiber), System OS: Windows Server 2008 R2, RDS
K2X2E1S-TM ATL test module:
INCLUDES 4 - 8 E1/T1 TEST PORTS AND 1 - 4 STM1 ATM PORT (single or multi -mode fiber SFP)
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS: dimensions: 2RU / 437mm x 450mm x 89mm / weight: 17
kg.
Power: 700W (1 + 1) Redundant AC-DC high-efficiency power supply w/ PFC
AC Voltage: 100 - 240V, 60-50Hz, 10 - 4 Amp
SYSTEM Specifications:
CPU: 2 x Intel Dual Core Xeon 2.0 GHz, memory: 1 x 2 GB DDR3, HD: RAID1
2 x 500 GB, E1 ports: 8 / 2 x 4 ATL1307, STM1: 1 ATM port. System OS: Linux,
Application software: Linkbit Test Engine.
K2X2A1B-TM ATL test module:
INCLUDES 4 E1 TEST PORTS, 8 ASLI AND 4 BRI TEST PORTS.
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS: dimensions: 2RU / 437mm x 450mm x 89mm / weight: 17 kg
Power: 700W (1 + 1) Redundant AC-DC high-efficiency power supply w/ PFC AC Voltage: 100 - 240V, 60-50Hz, 10 - 4 Amp
SYSTEM Specifications:
CPU: 2 x Intel Dual Core Xeon 2.0 GHz, memory: 1 x 2 GB DDR3, HD: RAID1 2 x
500 GB, E1 ports: 4 / 2 x 1 ATL1307, 8 ASLI 4 x 2, 4 BRI ports. System OS: Linux.
Application software: Linkbit Test Engine
ASLI supports 4 - 32 FXO ports, Localized. Echo Cancellation and DTMF processing. Fax capabilities on all ASLI and BRI ports.
Additional hardware test modules are available, please contact us for additional information.